DIXFIELD – Peter Merrill said he was intimidated by the people he called the actual heroes when he was honored for his bravery at last month’s Maine Chiefs of Police Association recognition banquet.
But everyone else, including his grandmother whom he saved from a house fire in December, disagreed. He was certainly a hero.
Merrill, now 25, was one of 23 Maine citizens and police officers who received a plaque for bravery. On Monday night, he was honored by his hometown and by the Maine Legislature, as well.
At 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 11, Merrill succeeded in getting his grandparents, Kermit and Emily Houghton, out of their blazing farmhouse.
“He had difficulty getting into the house,” said Dixfield Police Chief Richard Pickett. “He first got his grandmother out, then crawled on his hands and knees to locate his grandfather. The farmhouse was fully engulfed.”
“There’s no question his grandfather would never have gotten out without Peter going back in. He risked his own life when he went in.”
Rep. Randy Hotham, R-Dixfield, also presented Merrill with a legislative sentiment, which is used to honor special people.
“It’s my honor to present this, to recognize Mr. Merrill’s heroism in rescuing his grandparents. He risked his own life,” said Hotham. The legislative sentiment was co-sponsored by Sen. Bruce Bryant, D-Oxford.
Merrill said after the ceremony at which about a dozen family and friends attended that he felt he didn’t deserve that much recognition.
“It’s a little above and beyond. I’m happy that I could do it,” he said.
His grandmother was very thankful that he was there.
“I didn’t know about the fire. I was numb. I wondered what was the matter. I thought it was the Christmas lights that I saw, but he grabbed me by the arm,” said the 74-year-old.
Merrill’s grandfather did not attend Monday’s ceremony.
Houghton said she and her husband have already started building a new home and should be in sometime this spring.
“We’re all right,” she said. “I feel we were very fortunate.”
Pickett said Merrill, a railroad employee, was exceptional.
“A good many people would have called the fire department. (Merrill’s wife, Jennifer, called the fire department.) He was one of the few that got involved,” he said.
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